Cedar Point laborers go on strike

Laborers Local 480 on strike over a contract dispute with Cedar Point and Cedar Fair include Dave Elswick of Castalia, from left, Joey Mayer and Zack Roesch, both of Sandusky.
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SANDUSKY - Park maintenance at Cedar Point is at a halt following a strike by Local 480 Laborers over a contract dispute with Cedar Point and its parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.

The strike includes 76 full-time labor workers, which include maintenance crews, ride mechanics and landscapers, according to Brian Francis, business manager for Local 480 Laborers.

"We've seen all the press on record sales and record attendance, but the boots on the ground are not seeing the profits," Francis said. "We take care of the park, but are not reaping the benefits."

Francis said the union decided to strike Friday after the union and Cedar Fair and Cedar Point were unable to come to terms on a new five-year agreement.

In a statement released by the popular amusement park, Cedar Point said the laborers violated the National Labor Relations Act when the union was not represented by a bargaining team authorized to make decisions at the bargaining table.

Cedar Point said in its statement that an agreement had been reached Friday, but the agreement rejected later that day contained "new" demands added at the last round of negotiations by union leadership.

"The union is failing to take 'yes' for an answer," the Cedar Point release said.

Francis disputed Cedar Point's version of events.

"That is false. The union votes for the contract, and they hadn't voted so how could something be agreed upon?" Francis said Monday. "We did take it back to our negotiating team, and the new demands were things we added because we thought it would get the union to bite on to reach an agreement."

While the park has closed for the 2016 season, Francis said the winter months are important for general maintenance of rides.

"We usually break down all the rides in the offseason and maintenance them," Francis said.

Francis said the pay is not enough for laborers at the park to survive, citing rising costs in insurance rates and non-competitive wages hurting workers struggling in a challenging economy.

"The wages are below average compared to people working in similar fields to us," Francis said. "After insurance and other deductions, they are not seeing anything on their checks."

Francis said the jobs being performed by the laborers are high-stress, as they sign off on all maintenance and safety for park rides.

"Guys have a lot of responsibility and the work is not getting easier with new rides and parks coming in," Francis said.

Though offseason work has not begun due to the strike, Francis said he is confident the two sides will come to terms on a new contract.

"It will get resolved," Francis said. "It's about the two sides putting their heads together. There is a lot of back and forth with offers and counter offers. I don't see the strike being a problem for the opening of the park next year. The ball is in their court."